According To A Queer Grrrl:Halloween and 11.11.11

There are some awesome events for just about everyone happening in the next little while. A ghoulish march starting at Dufferin Grove, Halloweek in the Gaybourhood, and honouring 11.11.11 with deep thought and style. They are definately worth a tweet.

The Night of Dread

Clay and Paper Theatre production of the 12th annual festival of “pageantry, music and masquerade” leads a march that starts at Dufferin Grove. Last year, they had a camp fire going and it was a really nice scene. The parade starts to assemble around 4 pm at the rink house. People dressed in “Black and white and dreadful all over.”

The hour long march takes you on a journey through west end Toronto. Muscians play, stilt walkers and puppets stroll beside you. The event “draws inspiration from festivals of death and remembrance around the world.” Signs showing “our fears” are laid out ranging in topic from “Lady Gaga” to the “oil sands.” Their Twitter is @clayandpaper.

Dufferin Grove is at 900 Dufferin street. TTC INFO: Get to Dufferin Station. Take the 29 dufferin bus south or just walk down. Sometimes its nice just to get out into an open park space and this park is awesome.

Halloweek

The Church Wellesley Village closes off Church street on Oct 31st. It is the largest outdoor Halloween party in Canada The costumes are phenomenal. Free Entertainment, and pubs full to the brim of some very happy people. Sometimes people hand out candy to the most creative costume. My fave from last year? Two guys dressed as hockey players. They were wearing all of the equipment including the mask. One was chained to the other. It was classic.

It runs from Oct 24th to Oct 31st. Every day during the week you can have “one hell of a good meal” with the “Devilicious Culinary Tour”. Many Village restaurants will have three course meals of “Halloween themed dishes” Halloween displays are part of a local decor contest. The merchants dress up their digs in the theme of the season. Evening or day time, it’s worth a walk down Church Street to check them out.

11.11.11

Any time numbers align in any sort of pattern, there are people out there making theories about what “could” happen. Everything from alien visitation, to just an amazing day to do meditation and yoga. The other school of thought is just to party and enjoy this uniquely numbered day.

Haute

Slacks at 562 Church Street, hosts a stylish event of fashion, food and lots of surprises. Intricate NAIL ART done by Ila, this seasons hottest LIP thanks to MAC make up artist Jeannine. This is just in the first part of the night. From 8 to 11pm you will also be treated to a fashion show from Lavish and Squalor and Wild Moon Jewlery. A “Complimentary Vodka tasting bar” will be there as well to tempt you.

From 11pm to 3am Miss BETTI FORDE (dance, hip hop, motown), and “the hottest new spinners on the scene” MIDZ (hip hop, r and b, reggae) and LINGUIST (dance, house, electro). This event is for LBTQ women and our allies. Tickets for an event like this sell out fast, so make sure you get them soon. A few Early Bird’s are left at $8. General Admission is $10. The VIP gives you two Heinekens and a canape for $25. Their Twitter is @w0tr

November to Remember

Lambadina Resto Lounge hosts “two of the finest Turntablists” for this “Autumn Chic“ event. Paul E Lopes (Bump ‘N Hustle) and The Juiceman Jonathan Shaw (Juiceyland) are there to make you dance spinning everything from `hip hop to future.“ Limited $10 Guest List, and $15 at the door. 875 Bloor St. W Upper Level (2nd Fl.) TTC INFO: Start at Ossington Stn and walk east a few blocks.

words by shona